Hop plant named &#39;HORT0605&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct hop plant is described. The cultivar results out of selection from a population of seedlings derived from the deliberate crossing the ‘Southern Cross’ (not patented) and 99-63-31 (not patented). The new variety, ‘Hort0605’, is characterised by its late maturing and high alpha acid content and low cohumulone content. The new variety is suitable for beer flavouring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application no.62/413,724 filed Oct. 27, 2016.

Genus and species plant claimed: Humulus lupulus L.

Variety denomination: ‘HORT0605’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar of hop, Humulus lupulus L., was created in the courseof a planned breeding program carried out at Motueka, New Zealand. Itwas selected from a population of seedlings derived from a cross made in2006 between ‘Southern Cross’ (seed parent) (not patented) and 99-63-31(pollen parent) (not patented). Seedlings from the cross were grown in anursery at the same location during the 2006-07 season and subsequentlyplanted in the field in 2007-08 season. In 2008, ‘Hort0605’ wasidentified as having potential as a new variety and given the breedercode 06.05-22-02. The cultivar was selected on the basis of its goodagronomic performance, and chemistry profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A new and distinct hop plant is described. ‘Hort0605’ cultivar ischaracterised by having cones which are late maturing and have highalpha acid and low cohumulone content. The new variety is suitable forbeer flavouring.

In 2010/11 ‘Hort0605’ was asexually propagated via rhizome cuttings. Theresulting plants were found to be true to type demonstrating that thecharacteristics of the new variety are stable and transmitted withoutchange through succeeding generations. For two seasons, from 2012/13 to2013/14 ‘Hort0605’ was trialled, along with three other promisingselections and commercial cultivars ‘Nelson Sauvin’ (not patented) and‘Green Bullet’ (not patented), for its commercial potential. In thewinter of 2013 it was decided to advance ‘Hort0605’ to larger-scaletesting.

‘Hort0605’ is maintained at Motueka, New Zealand, where it has undergoneobservations for uniformity. All plants have been found to be true totype, that is, no off types have been observed. ‘Hort0605’ isdistinguished from its parent female parent, ‘Southern Cross’ as‘Hort0605’ has stronger anthocyanin coloration on the main shoot andalso has higher alpha acid levels. The pollen parent, 99-63-31, is amale and thus does not produce cones. Under New Zealand growingconditions ‘Hort0605’ is distinguished from varieties of commonknowledge by the following characteristics:

When grown in Motueka ‘Hort0605’ has stronger anthocyanin coloration onthe main shoot stem compared to ‘Green Bullet’ and ‘Nelson Sauvin’ andis later flowering than either of these varieties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the plant habit,cones, and leaves of the new cultivar as depicted in colours as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible to make the same in colour illustrationof this character.

FIG. 1: close up of ‘Hort0605’ main shoot.

FIG. 2: ‘Hort0605’ cones in the field.

FIG. 3: ‘Hort0605’ cones in the studio

FIG. 4: Upperside of ‘Hort0605’ leaf

FIG. 5 Mean of at harvest chemistry profiles for ‘Hort0605’ and twocomparator cultivars ‘Nelson Sauvin and ‘Green Bullet. Trials andtesting were conducted in Motueka, New Zealand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a description of the new cultivar with colourterminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society ColourCharts (R.H.S.C.C.) 2001 edition. The specimens described were grown atMotueka, New Zealand. The observations were made over the 2014-2016seasons.

-   Plant form and vigour: Mature plants are of a normal growth type    produce a high yield (averaging 2.2 -2.8 kg/ha,) of late maturing    cones. The main shoot of a one year old plant, has an average vine    diameter half way up the vine of 10 mm, and strong anthocyanin    coloration, near N79B in color with a stripe present, near Purple,    N77A in color. Node pubescence was medium. The average internode    length was 200 mm.-   Laterals: The side shoots from the middle third of the plant were of    long to very long length, an average of approximately 120 cm, and    produce a medium number of cones, an average of 5 per node. The side    shoots from the top third of the plant had an average length of 100    cm and produced an average of 7 nodes/lateral.-   Leaves: The leaves are strongly lobed with predominantly five lobes.    The small, weakly blistered leaves are alternate with crenate    margins. The upper leaf surface colour is near, Green, 139A. The    average leaf size is 120 mm in length and 130 mm in width.-   Cones: Are long and medium-ovate in shape in longitudinal section;    in cross section they are square in shape. The cones average length    is 50 mm and average width 20 mm. Bracts are medium-large in size,    with an average length 17 mm and average width 16 mm. Bracteole have    an average length are 16 mm and average width 10 mm. Strigs are    long, approximately 35 mm, with an average width of 3 mm. The colour    of the strig is Green, near N143C.-   Physiological timing: Flowering commences late in Motueka, New    Zealand around the 26 January. Harvest is late in the New Zealand    season, commencing mid to late March, under normal conditions.-   Chemistry profile: ‘Hort0605’ has undergone extensive chemistry    profile testing. The chemistry profile of ‘Hort0605’ differs from    both ‘Nelson Sauvin’ and ‘Green Bullet’ in a number of ways. It has    a lower percentage of columulone compared to ‘Green Bullet’ and has    a higher level of Alpha and Beta acids compared with both ‘Green    Bullet’ and Nelson Savuin’.-   Use: Primarily flavouring and bittering ingredient for beer.-   Pest and disease: ‘Hort0605’ does not appear particularly resistant    or susceptible to any particular pests or diseases known to afflict    Humulus lupulus.-   Hardiness: The plant cold hardiness according to the American zone    classification has not been determined.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct hop plant substantiallyas described and illustrated herein.